To ensure that eligible tribal applicants have the opportunity to participate in the Public Assistance (PA) process, PA staff members should:
a. Apologize on behalf of other agencies that have overlooked the tribes to date.
b. Expect tribes to know whether they will be grantees or subgrantees in applying for disaster assistance.
c. Clarify State, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and other Federal agency roles in addressing tribal damage to ensure that tribes are included in the process.
d. Avoid dealing with State emergency officials regarding tribal participation and go directly to the tribes.